Lateral brake assembly for a seat locking mechanism

ABSTRACT

A lateral brake assembly of a seat locking mechanism comprises: a first lateral brake including a first track bar and a first housing; a second lateral brake including a second track bar and a second housing; a carriage tube operably connected to the first lateral brake and the second lateral brake; a plurality of first slots located in the first track bar; and a first lateral lock pin operably connected to the carriage tube. The first housing in operation moves over the first track bar and locks onto the first track bar. The second housing in operation moves over the second track bar and locks onto the second track bar. The carriage tube in operation moves the first lateral brake and the second lateral brake to at least one of a locked position and an unlocked position, when the carriage tube rotates.

BACKGROUND

The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to aircraftinteriors, and more particularly to locking mechanism for aircraftseats.

Adjustable seats are commonly used on modern aircraft to permit the userto move a seat in several directions. For example, some seats permit auser to translate the seat forward, aft and laterally, while alsopermitting the user to rotate the seat around a central axis. For eachof these seat movements, many different locking mechanisms have beenused to control seat positioning. Some adjustable seats have required anabundance of cables, often exceeding 10 cables, to engage and disengagemultiple locking mechanisms. Accordingly, a locking mechanism capable ofadjusting a seat in multiple directions while minimizing the part countwould bring cost, weight, and reliability benefits.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a lateral brake assembly of a seat lockingmechanism is provided. The lateral brake assembly comprises a firstlateral brake including a first track bar and a first housing. The firsthousing in operation moves over the first track bar and locks onto thefirst track bar. The lateral brake assembly also comprises a secondlateral brake including a second track bar and a second housing. Thesecond housing in operation moves over the second track bar and locksonto the second track bar. The lateral brake assembly further comprisesa carriage tube operably connected to the first lateral brake and thesecond lateral brake. The carriage tube in operation moves the firstlateral brake and the second lateral brake to at least one of a lockedposition and an unlocked position, when the carriage tube rotates. Thelateral brake assembly also comprises a plurality of first slots locatedin the first track bar; and a first lateral lock pin operably connectedto the carriage tube. The first lateral lock pin in operation engagesand disengages the first slots. The carriage tube in operation moves thefirst lateral lock pin to at least one of a locked position and anunlocked position, when the carriage tube rotates.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, further embodiments of the lateral brake assembly mayinclude a plurality of second slots located in the second track bar; anda second lateral lock pin operably connected to the carriage tube. Thesecond lateral lock pin in operation engages and disengages the secondslots. The carriage tube in operation moves the second lateral lock pinto at least one of a locked position and an unlocked position, when thecarriage tube rotates.

According to another embodiment, a seat locking mechanism is provided.The seat locking mechanism comprises a control mechanism. The controlmechanism in operation controls at least one of unlocking the seatlocking mechanism when the control mechanism is activated and lockingthe seat locking mechanism when the control mechanism is deactivated.The seat locking mechanism also comprises a plurality of positionalbrake mechanisms operably connected to the control mechanism. Theplurality of positional brake mechanisms include a lateral brakeassembly, a longitudinal brake assembly, and a rotational brakeassembly. The lateral brake assembly comprises a first lateral brakeincluding a first track bar and a first housing. The first housing inoperation moves over the first track bar and locks onto the first trackbar. The lateral brake assembly also comprises a second lateral brakeincluding a second track bar and a second housing. The second housing inoperation moves over the second track bar and locks onto the secondtrack bar. The lateral brake assembly further comprises a carriage tubeoperably connected to the first lateral brake and the second lateralbrake. The carriage tube in operation moves the first lateral brake andthe second lateral brake to at least one of a locked position and anunlocked position, when the carriage tube rotates. The lateral brakeassembly also comprises: a plurality of first slots located in the firsttrack bar; and a first lateral lock pin operably connected to thecarriage tube. The first lateral lock pin in operation engages anddisengages the first slots. The carriage tube in operation moves thefirst lateral lock pin to at least one of a locked position and anunlocked position, when the carriage tube rotates.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, further embodiments of the seat locking mechanism mayinclude a plurality of second slots located in the second track bar; anda second lateral lock pin operably connected to the carriage tube. Thesecond lateral lock pin in operation engages and disengages the secondslots. The carriage tube in operation moves the second lateral lock pinto at least one of a locked position and an unlocked position, when thecarriage tube rotates.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, further embodiments of the seat locking mechanism mayinclude that the control mechanism is an electric motor assemblyoperably connected to the carriage tube. The electric motor assembly inoperation rotates the carriage tube to move the lateral brake assemblyto at least one of the locked position and the unlocked position.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, further embodiments of the seat locking mechanism mayinclude that the control mechanism is an override bypass assemblyoperably connected to the carriage tube. The override bypass assembly inoperation rotates the carriage tube to move the lateral brake assemblyto at least one of the locked position and the unlocked position.

According to another embodiment, a method of assembling a seat lockingmechanism is provided. The method comprises installing a controlmechanism onto a structural support of the seat locking mechanism. Thecontrol mechanism in operation controls at least one of unlocking theseat locking mechanism when the control mechanism is activated andlocking the seat locking mechanism when the control mechanism isdeactivated. The method also comprises installing a plurality ofpositional brake mechanisms onto the structural support; and operablyconnecting the control mechanism to each of the plurality of positionalbrake mechanisms. The plurality of positional brake mechanisms include alateral brake assembly, a longitudinal brake assembly, and a rotationalbrake assembly. The lateral brake assembly comprises: a first lateralbrake including a first track bar and a first housing. The first housingin operation moves over the first track bar and locks onto the firsttrack bar. The lateral brake assembly also comprises a second lateralbrake including a second track bar and a second housing. The secondhousing in operation moves over the second track bar and locks onto thesecond track bar. The lateral brake assembly further comprises acarriage tube operably connected to the first lateral brake and thesecond lateral brake. The carriage tube in operation moves the firstlateral brake and the second lateral brake to at least one of a lockedposition and an unlocked position, when the carriage tube rotates. Thelateral brake assembly also comprises a plurality of first slots locatedin the first track bar; and a first lateral lock pin operably connectedto the carriage tube. The first lateral lock pin in operation engagesand disengages the first slots. The carriage tube in operation moves thefirst lateral lock pin to at least one of a locked position and anunlocked position, when the carriage tube rotates.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, further embodiments the method may include that the lateralbrake assembly further comprises: a plurality of second slots located inthe second track bar; and a second lateral lock pin operably connectedto the carriage tube. The second lateral lock pin in operation engagesand disengages the second slots. The carriage tube in operation movesthe second lateral lock pin to at least one of a locked position and anunlocked position, when the carriage tube rotates.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, further embodiments the method may include that the controlmechanism is an electric motor assembly operably connected to thecarriage tube. The electric motor assembly in operation rotates thecarriage tube to move the lateral brake assembly to at least one of thelocked position and the unlocked position.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, further embodiments the method may include that the controlmechanism is an override bypass assembly operably connected to thecarriage tube. The override bypass assembly in operation rotates thecarriage tube to move the lateral brake assembly to at least one of thelocked position and the unlocked position.

Technical effects of embodiments of the present disclosure include alocking mechanism to allow seat adjustment in forward, aft, lateral androtational directions while minimizing the part count and/or weight ofthe locking mechanism.

The foregoing features and elements may be combined in variouscombinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise.These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will becomemore apparent in light of the following description and the accompanyingdrawings. It should be understood, however, that the followingdescription and drawings are intended to be illustrative and explanatoryin nature and non-limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed atthe conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features,and advantages of the present disclosure are apparent from the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawingsin which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aircraft that may incorporateembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a seat locking mechanism in alocked position, according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a seat locking mechanism in anunlocked position, according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an override bypass assembly of aseat locking mechanism in a locked position, according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an override bypass assembly of aseat locking mechanism in an unlocked position, according to embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the override bypass assembly of FIGS. 4 &5, according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a carriage assembly, according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a rotational brake assembly and anelectric motor assembly, according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the rotational brake assembly of FIG. 8,according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a lateral brake assembly in alocked position, according to embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of a lateral brake assembly in anunlocked position, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

The detailed description explains embodiments of the present disclosure,together with advantages and features, by way of example with referenceto the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, which shows a perspective view of an aircraft 2that may incorporate embodiments of the present disclosure. Aircraft 2includes a fuselage 4 extending from a nose portion 6 to a tail portion8 through a body portion 10. Body portion 10 houses an aircraft cabin 14that includes a crew compartment 15 and a passenger compartment 16. Bodyportion 10 supports a first wing 17 and a second wing 18. First wing 17extends from a first root portion 20 to a first tip portion 21 through afirst airfoil portion 23. First airfoil portion 23 includes a leadingedge 25 and a trailing edge 26. Second wing 18 extends from a secondroot portion (not shown) to a second tip portion 31 through a secondairfoil portion 33. Second airfoil portion 33 includes a leading edge 35and a trailing edge 36. Tail portion 8 includes a stabilizer 38.Aircraft 2 includes an adjustable seat 40 in the crew compartment 15 ofthe aircraft. In an embodiment, the adjustable seat 40 includes a seatlocking mechanism 80 operably connected to the bottom of the adjustableseat 40. The adjustable seat 40 may also be mounted within the passengercompartment 16. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, theadjustable seat 40 may also be mounted within a building and/or withinvarious types of vehicles including but not limited to automotive,aerospace, navel, locomotive, and railway.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, FIG. 2 displays a schematic illustrationof the seat locking mechanism 80 in a locked position, according toembodiments of the present disclosure; and FIG. 3 displays is aschematic illustration of the seat locking mechanism 80 in an unlockedposition, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The seatlocking mechanism 80 includes an override bypass assembly 100, acarriage assembly 200, a rotational brake assembly 300, an electricmotor assembly 400, a lateral brake assembly 500 and a longitudinalbrake assembly 600. The longitudinal brake assembly 600 controlsmovement of the adjustable in the longitudinal Y direction (forward andaft) relative to the adjustable seat. In certain instances the forwardand aft directions may be reversed depending on the orientation of theseat and/or may be referred to using different terminology such as, forexample first and second. Likewise components of the seat lockingmechanism described with the forward and aft terminology may also usethe reverse terminology in certain instances and/or may be referred tousing different terminology such as, for example a first and second. Thelateral brake assembly 500 controls movement of the adjustable seat inthe lateral X direction (left and right) relative to the adjustableseat. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, theorientation of the longitudinal Y and lateral X coordinate frame of theadjustable seat relative to an outside reference frame may vary based ona rotational R position of the adjustable seat. The rotational brakeassembly 300 controls movement of the adjustable seat in the rotationalR direction around an axis Z. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, axis Z may beperpendicular to both the longitudinal Y and lateral X direction. Thelongitudinal brake assembly 600, the lateral brake assembly 500, and therotational brake assembly 300 may be referred to as positional brakemechanisms. The seat locking mechanism 80 may be controlled manually byapplying tension to a cable 104 through the override bypass assembly 100and/or automatically utilizing the electric motor assembly 400. Theoverride bypass assembly 100 and the electrical motor assembly 400 maybe referred to as control mechanisms.

In order to control the seat locking mechanism 80 manually, an occupantof the adjustable seat will activate a position control lever (notshown), which provides tension to the cable 104. The position controllever may be located in an arm (not shown) of the adjustable seat. Astension is applied to the cable 104, the cable 104 pulls on and releasesthe override bypass assembly 100, which rotates a carriage tube 210 ofthe carriage assembly 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the overridebypass assembly 100 is located towards the aft end of the seat lockingmechanism 80; however the override bypass assembly 100 may be located inother various locations. The carriage tube 210 is operably connected toan aft lateral brake 502 and a forward lateral brake 504 of the lateralbrake assembly 500. As the carriage tube 210 rotates the lateral brakeassembly 500 is unlocked, which allows the adjustable seat to movelaterally along an aft track bar 550 and a forward track bar 560. Thecarriage assembly 200 is operably connected to the longitudinal brakeassembly 600 through a longitudinal brake cable 220. As the carriagetube 210 rotates, tension is applied to the longitudinal brake cable220, which releases the longitudinal brake assembly 600 and allows theadjustable seat to move longitudinally (forward and/or aft) along twolongitudinal track bars 610. As will be appreciated by those of skill inthe art, the structural support of the seat locking mechanism 80 may becomposed of the longitudinal track bars 610, the aft track bar 550, andthe forward track bar 560. The carriage assembly 200 is also operablyconnected to the rotational brake assembly 300 through a rotationalbrake cable 230. As the carriage tube 210 rotates, tension is applied tothe rotational brake cable 230, which releases the rotational brakeassembly 300 and allows the adjustable seat to rotate. Summarily, whentension is applied to the cable 104, the override bypass assembly 100 isreleased, which allows the carriage assembly 200 to rotate and unlockthe lateral brake assembly 500, the longitudinal brake assembly 600, andthe rotational brake assembly 300. The seat locking mechanism 80 may beseen in its unlocked position in FIG. 3.

Once the tension on the cable 104 is released, a biasing mechanism 116will move the override bypass assembly 100 back to its locked position,which in turn rotates the carriage assembly 200 back to its lockedposition. With the carriage assembly 200 back in its locked position,the lateral brake assembly 500 is now locked and tension is relieved onboth the longitudinal brake cable 220 and the rotational brake cable230. The tension relief on the longitudinal brake cable 220 locks thelongitudinal brake assembly 600. The tension relief on the rotationalbrake cable 230 allows a biasing mechanism 370 to move the rotationalbrake assembly 300 back to its locked position. The seat lockingmechanism 80 may be seen in its locked position in FIG. 2.

The seat locking mechanism 80 may also be unlocked automaticallyutilizing the electric motor assembly 400, which operably connects tothe carriage assembly 200 and rotates the carriages assembly 200 tounlock the lateral brake assembly 500, the longitudinal brake assembly600, and the rotational brake assembly 300. The seat locking mechanism80 may be seen in its unlocked position in FIG. 3. To lock the seatlocking mechanism 80, the electric motor assembly 400 will rotate thecarriage assembly 200 back to its locked position. With the carriageassembly 200 back in its locked position, the lateral brake assembly 500is now locked and tension is relieved on both the longitudinal brakecable 220 and the rotational brake cable 230. The tension relief on thelongitudinal brake cable 220 locks the longitudinal brake assembly 600.The tension relief on the rotational brake cable 230 allows a biasingmechanism 370 to move the rotational brake assembly 300 back to itslocked position. The seat locking mechanism 80 may be seen in its lockedposition in FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-6: FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of theoverride bypass assembly 100 of the seat locking mechanism in a lockedposition, according to embodiments of the present disclosure; FIG. 5shows a schematic illustration of the override bypass assembly 100 ofthe seat locking mechanism in an unlocked position, according toembodiments of the present disclosure; FIG. 6 shows an exploded view ofthe override bypass assembly 100 of FIGS. 4 & 5, according toembodiments of the present disclosure. The override bypass assembly 100includes a cable 104, a pulley wheel 106, a telescoping cylinderassembly 141, and a biasing mechanism 116. The cable 104 is operablyconnected to the pulley wheel 106. As tension is applied to the cable104, the cable 104 rotates the pulley wheel 106. The pulley wheel 106 isoperably connected to the telescoping cylinder assembly 141, such thatas the pulley wheel 106 rotates, the telescoping cylinder assembly 141linearly extends and then rotates an aft lateral brake lever 558 tounlock the aft lateral brake 502. The aft lateral brake 502 locks whenthe aft lateral brake lever 558 rotates an aft lateral lock pin 554 toengage with an aft slot 552 of the aft track bar 550, as seen in FIG. 4.The aft lateral brake 502 unlocks when the aft lateral brake lever 558rotates an aft lateral lock pin 554 to disengage with an aft slot 552 ofthe aft track bar 550, as seen in FIG. 5.

The rotational motion of the pulley wheel 106 is translated to linearmotion of the telescoping cylinder assembly 141 via a linear slidemechanism 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the linear slide mechanism120 includes a slide housing 121, a bearing 170, a bearing pin 172, anda slide 122 operably connected to the telescoping cylinder assembly 141,as seen in FIG. 6. The bearing 170 is operably connected to the pulleywheel 106 via the bearing pin 172. The bearing 170 is also operablyconnected to the slide 122. As the pulley wheel 106 rotates, the bearing170 moves the slide 122, along with the telescoping cylinder assembly141, linearly relative to the slide housing 121. The slide 122 isoperably connected to the telescoping cylinder assembly 141 via a cableanchor pin 124.

Once tension on the cable 104 is relieved, the biasing mechanism 116,operably connected to the telescoping cylinder assembly 141, willlinearly move the telescoping cylinder assembly 141 back to its lockedposition and subsequently lock the aft lateral brake 502. In theillustrated embodiment, biasing mechanism 116 is connected to the slide122 and the telescoping cylinder assembly 141 via the cable anchor pin124. Also, as seen in the illustrated embodiment, the biasing mechanism116 may be secured to the slide housing 121, via a biasing mechanismanchor pin 118. In an embodiment, the biasing mechanism 116 may be aspring.

In the illustrated embodiment, the telescoping cylinder assembly 141includes a cylinder 142, a shaft 146, a cap 152 and a roll pin 144, asseen in FIG. 6. The shaft 146 includes a first end 146 a locatedinternal to the cylinder and a second end 146 b fixedly connected to thecap 152. The roll pin 144 allows the shaft 146 to translate within thecylinder 142, while operably connecting the shaft 146 to the cylinder142 at the first end 146 a. The roll pin 144 may be located in a throughhole 145 of the shaft 146 and operably connected to a slot 143 of thecylinder 142, as seen in FIG. 6. The roll pin 144 secures the shaft 146to the cylinder 142, while allowing the shaft 146 to translated thelength of the slot 143. The cap 152 is operably connected to the aftlateral brake lever 558 via a clevis pin 154. The clevis pin 154 may besecured in place by a cotter pin 156. As the aft lateral brake lever 558rotates, the carriage tube 210 rotates as well.

Referring now FIG. 7, which shows a schematic illustration of a carriageassembly 200, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Thecarriage assembly 200 includes a carriage housing 216 fixedly connectedto the carriage tube 210, as seen in FIG. 7. The carriage housing 216 isoperably connected to the rotational brake assembly 300 and thelongitudinal brake assembly 600. The carriage housing 216 includes arotational brake connecting point 232 and a longitudinal brakeconnecting point 222. The carriage housing 216 is operably connected tothe rotational brake assembly 300 through the rotational brake cable230, which connects to the carriage housing 216 at the rotational brakeconnecting point 232. The carriage housing 216 is operably connected tothe longitudinal brake assembly 600 through the longitudinal brake cable220, which connects to the carriage housing 216 at the longitudinalbrake connecting point 222. The carriage housing 216 rotates as thecarriage housing tube 210 rotates. As the carriage housing 216 rotates,it pulls on longitudinal brake cable 220 to unlock the longitudinalbrake assembly 600, which allows the adjustable seat to move forward andaft. Simultaneously, as the carriage housing 216 rotates, it pulls therotational brake cable 230 to unlock the rotational brake assembly 300,which allows the adjustable seat to rotate.

The carriage housing 216 may also be operably connected to the electricmotor assembly 400 via a motor link 480. The motor link 480 connects tothe carriage housing 216 at the motor connection point 218 located onthe carriage housing 216. The carriage assembly 200 may also include adamper 280 operably connected to the carriage housing 216 through adamping link 282. The damper 280 dampens the motions of the electricmotor assembly 400.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 shows a schematic illustration ofthe rotational brake assembly 300 and the electric motor assembly 400,according to embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 shows anexploded view of the rotational brake assembly of FIG. 8, according toembodiments of the present disclosure. As seen in FIG. 9, the rotationalbrake assembly 300 includes a rotational brake pin 322, a lifting pin324, a cam 320, a biasing mechanism 370 and a swivel disc 304 having aplurality of locking holes 306 proximate the outer diameter 308 of theswivel disc 304. The cam 320 includes angled slot 350, where the liftingpin 324 resides. The lifting pin 324 is operably connected to therotational brake pin 322. As the cam 320 translates radially inward, thelifting pin 324 slides up the angled slot 350 along with the rotationalbrake pin 322. This motion lifts the rotational brake pin 322 out of alocking hole 306 and allows the adjustable seat to rotate. In theillustrated embodiment, the cam 320 is operably connected to thecarriage housing 216 of the carriage assembly 200 through a series oflinkages, including a control lever 314 and a link 310. The controllever 314 is operably connected to the cam 320 and the link is operablyconnected to the control lever 314. The carriage housing 216 is operablyconnected to the link 310 through the rotational brake cable 230. Oncethe tension is applied to the cable 104, the override bypass assembly100 releases and rotates the carriage tube 210 along with the carriagehousing 216, which pulls on the rotational brake cable 230 andsubsequently moves the cam 320 radially inward to lift the rotationalbrake pin 322 out of the locking hole 306. If the seat locking mechanism80 possesses an electric motor assembly 400, the electric motor assembly400 will rotate the carriage housing 216, which pulls on the rotationalbrake cable 230 and subsequently moves the cam 320 radially inward tolift the rotational brake pin 322 out of the locking hole 306.

Once tension on the cable 104 is relieved and/or the electric motorassembly 400 moves the carriage housing 216 back to the locked position,the biasing mechanism 370 will move the cam 320 radially outward, thusallowing the lifting pin 324 to slide down in slot 350 and let therotational brake pin 322 move back into a locking hole 306. In theillustrated embodiment, the biasing mechanism 370 is operably connectedto the cam 320 through the control lever 314, as seen in FIG. 8.

The electric motor assembly 400 includes a drive motor 410, a drivemotor link 480, a solenoid 460 operably connected to the drive motor 410through a clutch system 430, as seen in FIG. 8. The clutch systemincludes a female gear 432 and a male gear 434. The electric motorassembly 400 is operably connected to the carriage housing 216 of thecarriage assembly 200 through the drive motor link 480. When theelectric motor assembly 400 is activated, the solenoid 460 moves themale gear 434 to engage with the female gear 432, thus allowing thedrive motor 410 to move the drive motor link 480. Subsequently, thedrive motor link 480 will rotate the carriage housing 216. When theelectric motor assembly 400 is deactivated, the solenoid 460 moves themale gear 434 to disengage with the female gear 432 and the biasingmechanism 116 will move the move the override bypass assembly 100 backto its locked position. This motion subsequently rotates the carriagehousing 216 back to its locked position, which allows the biasingmechanism 370 to move the rotational brake assembly 300 back to itslocked position. The electric motor assembly 400 may include limitswitch mount 440 for mounting a limit switch (not shown). The electricmotor assembly 400 may also include spacers 450 to maintain separationbetween the solenoid 460 and the drive motor 410. As seen in FIG. 8, theelectric motor assembly 400 includes a motor mount 420 to fixedlyconnect the electric motor assembly 400 to the seat locking mechanism80.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 shows a schematic illustrationof a lateral brake assembly 500 in a locked position, according toembodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 shows a schematicillustration of a lateral brake assembly 500 in an unlocked position,according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The lateral brakeassembly 500 includes an aft lateral brake 502, a forward lateral brake504, and a carriage tube 210 that connects the aft lateral brake 502 tothe forward lateral brake 504. An aft end 212 of the carriage tube 210operably connects to the aft lateral brake 502. A forward end 214 of thecarriage tube 210 operably connects to the forward lateral brake 504.The aft lateral brake 502 includes an aft housing 530, an aft track bar550 within the aft housing 530, an aft lateral lock pin 554, and an aftlateral brake lever 558. The aft track bar 550 includes a plurality ofaft slots 552 for the aft lateral lock pin 554 to engage and/ordisengage. The aft housing 530 may include bearings (not shown) to aidmovement over the aft track bar 550 when the lateral brake assembly 500is in the unlocked position, as seen in FIG. 11. The forward lateralbrake 504 includes a forward housing 540, a forward track bar 560 withinthe forward housing 540, a forward lateral lock pin 564, and a forwardlateral brake lever 568. The forward track bar 560 includes a pluralityof forward slots 562 for the forward lateral lock pin 564 to engageand/or disengage. The forward housing 540 may include bearings (notshown) to aid movement over the forward track bar 560 when the lateralbrake assembly 500 is in the unlocked position, as seen in FIG. 11.

The carriage tube 210 is operably connected to the aft lateral housing530, such that the carriage tube 210 is free to rotate. The carriagetube 210 is fixedly connected to the aft lateral lock pin 554 throughthe aft lateral brake lever 558. As the carriage tube 210 rotates, theaft lateral lock pin 554 will engage (i.e. lock, as seen in FIG. 10) theplurality of aft slots 552 and/or disengage (i.e. unlock, as seen inFIG. 11) the plurality of aft slots 552. The carriage tube 210 isoperably connected to the forward lateral housing 540, such that thecarriage tube 210 is free to rotate. The carriage tube 210 is fixedlyconnected to the forward lateral lock pin 564 through the forwardlateral brake lever 568. As the carriage tube 210 rotates, the forwardlateral lock pin 564 will engage (i.e. lock, as seen in FIG. 10) theplurality of forward slots 562 and/or disengage (i.e. unlock, as seen inFIG. 11) the plurality of forward slots 562. The aft lateral lock pin554 and the forward lateral lock pin 564 will engage and/or disengagesimultaneously because their movement is tied together by the carriagetube 210. As described above, the carriage tube 210 may be rotatedmanually by the override bypass assembly 100 at the aft lateral brakelever 558 or automatically by the electric motor assembly 400.

While the present disclosure has been described in detail in connectionwith only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readilyunderstood that the present disclosure is not limited to such disclosedembodiments. Rather, the present disclosure can be modified toincorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions,combinations, sub-combinations, or equivalent arrangements notheretofore described, but which are commensurate with the scope of thepresent disclosure. Additionally, while various embodiments of thepresent disclosure have been described, it is to be understood thataspects of the present disclosure may include only some of the describedembodiments. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not to be seen aslimited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scopeof the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lateral brake assembly of a seat lockingmechanism, the lateral brake comprising: a first lateral brake includinga first track bar and a first housing, the first housing in operationmoves over the first track bar and locks onto the first track bar; asecond lateral brake including a second track bar and a second housing,the second housing in operation moves over the second track bar andlocks onto the second track bar; a carriage tube operably connected tothe first lateral brake and the second lateral brake, the carriage tubein operation moves the first lateral brake and the second lateral braketo at least one of a locked position and an unlocked position, when thecarriage tube rotates; a plurality of first slots located in the firsttrack bar; and a first lateral lock pin operably connected to thecarriage tube, the first lateral lock pin in operation engages anddisengages the first slots, wherein the carriage tube in operation movesthe first lateral lock pin to at least one of a locked position and anunlocked position, when the carriage tube rotates.
 2. The lateral brakeassembly of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of second slotslocated in the second track bar; and a second lateral lock pin operablyconnected to the carriage tube, the second lateral lock pin in operationengages and disengages the second slots, wherein the carriage tube inoperation moves the second lateral lock pin to at least one of a lockedposition and an unlocked position, when the carriage tube rotates.
 3. Aseat locking mechanism comprising: a control mechanism, the controlmechanism in operation controls at least one of unlocking the seatlocking mechanism when the control mechanism is activated and lockingthe seat locking mechanism when the control mechanism is deactivated;and a plurality of positional brake mechanisms operably connected to thecontrol mechanism, the plurality of positional brake mechanisms includea lateral brake assembly, a longitudinal brake assembly, and arotational brake assembly, the lateral brake assembly comprising: afirst lateral brake including a first track bar and a first housing, thefirst housing in operation moves over the first track bar and locks ontothe first track bar; a second lateral brake including a second track barand a second housing, the second housing in operation moves over thesecond track bar and locks onto the second track bar; a carriage tubeoperably connected to the first lateral brake and the second lateralbrake, the carriage tube in operation moves the first lateral brake andthe second lateral brake to at least one of a locked position and anunlocked position, when the carriage tube rotates; a plurality of firstslots located in the first track bar; and a first lateral lock pinoperably connected to the carriage tube, the first lateral lock pin inoperation engages and disengages the first slots, wherein the carriagetube in operation moves the first lateral lock pin to at least one of alocked position and an unlocked position, when the carriage tuberotates.
 4. The seat locking mechanism of claim 3, further comprising: aplurality of second slots located in the second track bar; and a secondlateral lock pin operably connected to the carriage tube, the secondlateral lock pin in operation engages and disengages the second slots,wherein the carriage tube in operation moves the second lateral lock pinto at least one of a locked position and an unlocked position, when thecarriage tube rotates.
 5. The seat locking mechanism of claim 3,wherein: the control mechanism is an electric motor assembly operablyconnected to the carriage tube, the electric motor assembly in operationrotates the carriage tube to move the lateral brake assembly to at leastone of the locked position and the unlocked position.
 6. The seatlocking mechanism of claim 3, wherein: the control mechanism is anoverride bypass assembly operably connected to the carriage tube, theoverride bypass assembly in operation rotates the carriage tube to movethe lateral brake assembly to at least one of the locked position andthe unlocked position.
 7. A method of assembling a seat lockingmechanism comprising: installing a control mechanism onto a structuralsupport of the seat locking mechanism, the control mechanism inoperation controls at least one of unlocking the seat locking mechanismwhen the control mechanism is activated and locking the seat lockingmechanism when the control mechanism is deactivated; installing aplurality of positional brake mechanisms onto the structural support;and operably connecting the control mechanism to each of the pluralityof positional brake mechanisms, the plurality of positional brakemechanisms include a lateral brake assembly, a longitudinal brakeassembly, and a rotational brake assembly, the lateral brake assemblycomprising: a first lateral brake including a first track bar and afirst housing, the first housing in operation moves over the first trackbar and locks onto the first track bar; a second lateral brake includinga second track bar and a second housing, the second housing in operationmoves over the second track bar and locks onto the second track bar; acarriage tube operably connected to the first lateral brake and thesecond lateral brake, the carriage tube in operation moves the firstlateral brake and the second lateral brake to at least one of a lockedposition and an unlocked position, when the carriage tube rotates; aplurality of first slots located in the first track bar; and a firstlateral lock pin operably connected to the carriage tube, the firstlateral lock pin in operation engages and disengages the first slots,wherein the carriage tube in operation moves the first lateral lock pinto at least one of a locked position and an unlocked position, when thecarriage tube rotates.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the lateralbrake assembly further comprises: a plurality of second slots located inthe second track bar; and a second lateral lock pin operably connectedto the carriage tube, the second lateral lock pin in operation engagesand disengages the second slots, wherein the carriage tube in operationmoves the second lateral lock pin to at least one of a locked positionand an unlocked position, when the carriage tube rotates.
 9. The methodof claim 7, wherein: the control mechanism is an electric motor assemblyoperably connected to the carriage tube, the electric motor assembly inoperation rotates the carriage tube to move the lateral brake assemblyto at least one of the locked position and the unlocked position. 10.The method of claim 7, wherein: the control mechanism is an overridebypass assembly operably connected to the carriage tube, the overridebypass assembly in operation rotates the carriage tube to move thelateral brake assembly to at least one of the locked position and theunlocked position.